Pressure begins to build on Ton

Roger Graham • Published 12 Mar 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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FIGHTING SPIRIT: Neil MacFarlane's qualities may be utilised against Inverness tomorrow.

AYR'S win over Partick at Somerset on Wednesday night was just the result Morton did not need before their already daunting trip to Inverness tomorrow.

It was a result which led to a role reversal, the Cappielow club tumbling down into the second bottom relegation play-off place.

In four successive matches, Ayr have amassed 10 points and are clearly fighting tooth and nail to protect their First Division status. At the moment the momentum, and the confidence that brings with it, is with them.

Morton, of course, still have to play Ayr twice at Cappielow, but the pressure is now very much beginning to build.

Manager James Grady is looking for a definite response from his players, especially the experienced members of his squad. He felt his side had shown an acceptance of defeat after conceding the second goal at Somerset Park early in the second half last week.

There was certainly a visible collective slump from that point on. Having had so much of the play, and created and squandered four or five good chances, the visitors were initially shocked when Ayr scored with their first attempt at goal in 26 minutes. The second strike, from the penalty spot, was a real sap to their confidence.

No one tries to play badly, but it is in such circumstances that strong characters emerge, and there were too few who did so for most of the second half.

There is so much of a psychological nature which makes a successful team and there is no doubt that Morton are short of natural leaders on the park. The false dawns that James Grady has spoken about have been a factor for three seasons now and it is hard not to sympathise with the management view that it is down more to mental strength, or a lack of it among some, than a lack of ability.

At times Morton have shown they can play decent football; they also have a physical presence. There is certainly a lack of pace in some areas, notably centre midfield, but there has been a prevailing feeling when watching Morton that they should be better than they are.

Only the foolish would not accept that major changes will take place at the end of the season, for there is only so long that the troughs and peaks can be tolerated.

Meanwhile, however, it is up to the current group to get themselves out of that second bottom place. They have done it before and they can do it again.

Admirably as Ayr have done, theirs is a side of modest ability and there is only so far honest endeavour can compensate.

Grady and McManus are right when they say the least everyone, particularly the hard core supporter, deserves is total commitment from those who wear the blue and white hoops.

I would imagine that Kevin McKinlay will come into the side tomorrow after a two-game suspension, and Neil MacFarlane must be banging on the manager's door to plead for inclusion.

David MacGregor seems most likely to be the replacement for suspended skipper Stewart Greacen. All three are the type of player Morton perhaps need most right now.

If the situation concentrates some minds, so much the better.

There are games enough to make recompense, though they could hardly have it tougher than tomorrow's Highland jaunt. A point would be a great result.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 12 Mar 10

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